Illuminated sign



April 24, 1934 H. T. wlLTsHlRE 1,956,185

ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Aug. 22, 1.933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 I Inventor /4 gerfer/ TMG/9&6 e

q By ,/qllomey A pl 24, 1934- H. T. wlLTsHlRE 1,956,185

ILLUMINATED S IGN Filed Aug. 22, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,/qllorncy prli 24, 1934. H. T. wlL'rsHlRE 1,956,185

ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Aug. 22, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nvenior Patented Apr. .24, 1934 UNITED STATES resales PATENT OFFICE one-half to Robert U.

Application August 22,

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in illuminated display signs and has for some of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a sign of this 5 character which will be highly attractive, simple in construction, strong, durable, efcient in use and which may be manufactured and used at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the yinvention will become apparent from a study f the following specilication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure l is a view in front elevation or" an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view,` taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure vl.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view in front elevation of one of the individual letters which may be used.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in front eleva- 25 tion of a series of integral letters which may be used with the sign.

Figure 6 is a detail View in perspective of an end portion of the reector.

Figure 'l is a View in front elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a detail View in side elevation of the silhouette shown in Figure '7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially flat base 1 of suitable dimensions and material, preferably wood. Rising from an intermediate portion of the base 1 is a metallic back-ground panel 2 of ornamental form which is provided with an attaching ilange or foot 3 at its lower edge. The configuration of the back-ground panel 2 is illustrated to advantage in Figure 1 of the drawings. Y

Also mounted on the base l, forwardly of the v back-ground panel 2, is a reiiector which is designated generally by the reference numeral 4. The reflector 4 includes a bottom 5 engaged on the base l, a rearwardly inclined back 6 and. end walls 7, said reector being open at its front and top, as clearly seen in Figure 6 of the drawings. Mounted in the reflector 4 is a neon tube 8 which is energized by electricity which passes through a transformer 9 mounted on the base l rearwardly of the back-ground panel 2. The back-ground panel 2 and the back 6 of Bronson, Eugene, Oreg.

1933, Serial No. 686,297

the reflector 4 are provided with aligned openings for the passage of the electrodes 10 of the tube 8.

Extending across the front of the reflector 4 is an inclined metal plate 11 of ornamental form (see Figure 1) having letters 12 cut therein. Beneath the letters 12 the front plate l1 has formed therein an elongated window 13. rIhe front plate 11 has formed integrally therewith a bottom lange 14 Which extends Vbetween the bottom of the reliector 4 and the base 1. A frosted glass 15 is secured in any suitable manner, as at 16, on the back of the front plate 11. As will be apparent, light from the neon tube 8 passes through the frosted glass 15 for illuminating the letters 12 and the window 13. Le*- ters 1'7 are painted or otherwise formed across the lower portion of the frosted glass 15 to be illuminated in the window 13.

The back 6 of the reflector 4 rises above the end walls 7 and is bent or folded forwardly and downwardly upon itself, as at 18, and terminates in an upturned flange 19 defining a groove or channel 20 for the reception of the base portions 21 of individual letters 22 or the connecting and supportingstrip or '.base 23 of a series of letters 24. As best seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, the letters 22 and 24 are curved forwardly. The letters 22 and 24 are preferably of hammered, polished metal for diiusing the light which is reflected thereon from the neon tube 8. It will thus be seen that the letters may be expeditiously inserted in the channel 20 and removed therefrom as desired. The channel 20 is closed at its ends by the end walls 7 or the reflector 4.

In Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, there is shown a figure or character 26 which is in the form of a silhouette. The silhouette character 26 is, of course, mounted in the channel 20 and toward this end said figure or character 26 has formed integrally therewith the base portion 21 which is engageable in the channel, as will be understood. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 8 of the drawings, the figure or character 26 is substantially arcuate in side elevation. It will be understood that characters other than letters, numerals and silhouettes may be mounted in the channel 20 in a manner to be illuminated and displayed in bold relief against various forms of back-ground panels.

The sign may be placed in a show window, on a display counter or case or in any other conspicuous place, as will be understood. It will be noted that the letters in the front plate 11 and on the lower portion of the frosted glass 15, together with the letters or other characters which are mounted in the channel 20, will be effectively illuminated from a single source of light, such as the neon tube 8 in the reflector 4. The construction and arrangement of the forwardly curved letters or characters in the channel 20 are such that they will be brilliantly illuminated and stand out in relief against the back-ground panel 2. As will also be apparent, the sign may be conveniently moved from place to place.

It is believed that the many advantages of an illuminated display sign constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed isz- 1. A sign of the class described comprising a base, a back-ground panel rising from the base, a reector mounted on the base forwardly of the back-groundpanel, said reflector being open at its front and top and including a bottom, an inclined back, and end walls, removable characters mounted on the inclined back and curved forwardly over the reflector, a plate extending across the front of the reflector and having openings cut therein defining characters, a frosted glass mounted on the rear side of the plate, and an electric lamp mounted in the refiector for illuminating the first and second named characters.

2. A sign of the class described comprising a base, a reflector mounted on the base, said reector being open at its top and including a back, the upper portion of the back being folded upon itself and terminating in an upstanding flange defining a channel, removable characters mounted in the channel and curved forwardly over the reflector, and a lamp in the reflector for illuminating the characters.

3. A sign of the class described comprising a base, a back-ground panel rising from an intermediate portion of the base, a reflector mounted on the base forwardly of the back-ground panel, said reflector being open at its front and top and including a bottom, a rearwardly inclined back and end walls, the back rising above the end walls and having its upper portion folded upon itself and terminating in a flange defining a channel, forwardly curved characters removably mounted in the channel, a plate extending across the front of the reflector having openings therein defining characters, a glass mounted on the rear side of the plate, and an electric lamp in the reflector for illuminating the rst and second named characters. Y

4. A sign of the class described comprising an elongated reflector including a bottom, front and rear walls and end Walls with the top of the reflector open, a lamp in the reflector and a forwardly curved character forming member having its lower edge detachably connected with the upper edge of the rear wall of the reflector.

5. A sign of the class described comprising a reflector including a bottom wall, front and rear walls and end walls, the top of the reflector being open, a lamp in the reflector, and a forwardly l curved character forming member having its lower edge connected with the upper edge of the rear wall of the reiector.

6. A sign of the class described comprising an elongated refiector including a bottom wall, front and rear walls and end walls, the upper edge of the rear wall being provided with a channel, a lamp in the reflector, the top of the reflector being open, and character forming members having their lower edges fitting in the channel.

7. A sign of the class described comprising an elongated reflector including a bottom wall, front and rear walls and end walls, the upper edge of the rear wall being provided with a channel, a lamp in the reflector, the top of the reflector being open, character forming members having their lower edges fitting in the channel, said front wall of the reflector having openings therein, some of which form characters.

HERBERT 'I'. WLTSHIRE. 

